Potatoes are an all-time favorite around here! Whether it's a creamy mash for Thanksgiving or Ree Drummond's crispy crash hot potatoes alongside a steak dinner, we could have spuds with just about any meal. There are even potato hash browns that are perfect for breakfast! But when you're planning which potato recipes you'll choose, you might also be wondering: How many pounds of potatoes do I need per person? After all, there are different types of potatoes that each come in various sizes and weights. So knowing just how many studs you need for your crowd can be quite the debacle.
Luckily, we've come up with a foolproof equation that will help you determine how many potatoes to buy. The concept is simple: plan for 1/2 pound of potatoes per person. Then, check out the guidelines below to get more specific to your family's needs.
Potato lovers like us might also want to make a bit extra for all your leftover potato recipes! There's nothing quite like extra mash the next day. 😉
How Many Pounds of Potatoes Per Person
Ready to make your favorite potato side dish? You'll need 1/2 pound of potatoes per person. So if you're making dinner for two, that's 1 pound of potatoes. But if you're cooking for a crowd, or say six people, that's three pounds of potatoes. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need per person:
2 people = 1 pound
4 people = 2 pounds
6 people = 3 pounds
8 people = 4 pounds
10 people = 5 pounds
12 people = 6 pounds
The Best Type of Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes
The key to Ree's creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes isn't just the fact that she uses half-and-half. (Although that does help!) But she also uses five pounds of russets or Yukon golds for 10 people, which are both high in starch and mash up nice and fluffy. Yukon golds tend be buttery, while russets are lighter in texture. Use either one to make mashed potatoes—or opt for a combination of both!
